Motorbiking in winter: how to ride in the cold ?

How to equip in winter? What protections against the cold? Discover the tips and essential equipment to protect yourself from the cold on a motorcycle or scooter. Special winter practical guide … for bikers who are not afraid of anything !

Head, neck and underwear

Too often neglected, the head – like all the extremities of the body – must receive all the attention. According to some specialists, between 30 and 50% of body heat can be lost through it alone !

To guard against this, Site opts for the balaclava: unattractive and not necessarily pleasant to wear, it is however the ideal means to fight against the common cold! It remains to compose with a typical look "bank robber" once the helmet removed…

The latter also plays an insulating role: besides the fact that a full-face suit is naturally more sheltered from the cold than a jet, the quality of the helmet and its ventilation system can make a real difference..

Starting with the internal foams: a qualitative and breathable coating better regulates perspiration and promotes better thermal insulation. Likewise, in cold and humid weather, an effective ventilation device avoids having to open all the vents (or even to open the screen) to combat the formation of fogging on the visor.

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Prefer neck warmers with an ergonomic drawstring adjustment: the more the fabric is kept in contact with the skin, the less it will be exposed to drafts Avoid sweaters with large collars under a neckband: the superposition of layers often makes it difficult to close the collar of your jacket or to put the top of the neck in the helmet, which leads to "leaks" of heat considerable Avoid the granny wool scarf: not only synthetic fibers such as fleece are more insulating and breathable, but the risk (even tiny) that it comes off in the wind and rolls up in the chain kit or the wheel rear is not to be ruled out… Finally, to reduce the risk of "cold snaps", breathe through the nose rather than through the mouth: the air will have time to warm up a little before going down into the lungs..

The neck must be particularly protected from drafts. And if some winter jackets or jackets have a collar that goes up high enough to do without accessories, wearing a neck strap is almost essential when the temperatures are struggling to exceed 0 ° C (see box below -against).

Whether in simple cotton for fall hikes or in a polyester blend for cold weather, the neck warmer can come in many shapes..

Most of the time, a simple "tube" of polar fibers is sufficient, but neck warmers with a more or less long breastplate are also available in motorcycle equipment stores. Less practical to put on, they are however more effective because the bib protects the upper torso and reduces the risk of air entering on the lower neck..

Finally, some balaclavas also play the role of a neck strap via a fabric extension, which makes it possible to shorten the tedious "dressing-undressing" sessions. !

Three layers or nothing

Before putting on his jacket or winter pants, the biker or scooterist must keep in mind that the role of this equipment is more to insulate from the cold than to provide heat: these are your other clothes, and especially your underwear, which will take care of maintaining body heat.

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Whether for underwear, socks or sweaters, the "Mountain" or "Hiking" departments of sports stores offer products perfectly suited to the needs of bikers in winter … for often less than among equipment manufacturers motorbike ! Avoid superimposing clothes that are too thick, because they reduce your range of motion: too tight, the rider may lack responsiveness and sensitivity on the controls. In addition, he sweats more easily and eventually cools down..

The ideal winter attire is in three layers for three purposes:

1. close-fitting underwear (jersey, tights, and socks) to maintain temperature and absorb perspiration

2. a second layer (fleece sweater or sweatshirt) to retain heat

3. a final insulating layer (jacket and pants both waterproof and windproof)

Regarding underwear, most equipment manufacturers offer thermal sets (one or two pieces) in synthetic and elastic textiles (see box opposite). Particularly recommended in very cold weather, their anti-perspirant properties are superior to those of their cotton counterparts which retain moisture.

However, riding with wet clothes in winter is guaranteed to get cold! So be careful not to over-equip yourself to avoid sweating excessively..

When the temperature is around 10 ° C and the journey time is less than an hour, thermal underwear is therefore not essential. And equip yourself at the very last moment so as not to be sweating when getting on your machine !

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